Table top with removable leg supports



April 3, 1956 M. s. VIZZINI 2,740,679

TABLE TOP WITH REMOVABLE LEG SUPPORTS Filed Aug. 27, 1952 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent 2,740,679 TABLE TOP WITH REMOVABLE LEG SUPPORTS Michael S. Vizzini, Oak Park, Mlich. Application August 27, 1952, Serial No. 306,581 20 Claims. (Cl. 311-35) This invention relates to improvements in a table construction and in particular to an improved supporting means adapted to interengage with and support a plane load sustaining slab for use as a table or shelf.

Important objects of the invention are to provide an improved sturdy lightweight structure of the foregoing character comprising a pair of unitary supports adapted to support a plane rectangular load sustaining slab removably thereon; and to provide improved means for detachably interengaging the slab and supports whereby the slab may be readily inverted as desired to expose either one of two finishes of different character.

Another object is to provide an improved support of the foregoing character adapted to be formed from a unitary length of metal rod or tubular stock for example and to be used in cooperation with a similar support to sustain a generally rectangular slab or panel, or to be used in other relations and in various positions as a handsome geometrically arresting support for panels at various angles.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a perspective view of a table embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the supports shown in Fig. 1 and embodying the present invention, the support being shown in its untensioned condition prior to assembly with a slab or table top, the latter being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the support and a portion of the slab or top, showing a variation of the attachment between the latter and support.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the support in untensioned condition prior to being attached to the slab or top.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 4, the lateral portions of the support being sprung outward preparatory to assembly with the slab.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the support and a portion of the slab or top, showing another variation of the attachment between the latter and support.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top view of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top view similar to Fig. 7, showing still another variation of the attachment between the support and slab or top.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side view showing the structure of Fig. 8 prior to assembly thereof.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modification of the support.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 which is particularly adapted for use as a low coffee table or the like. A plane rectangular slab or top A is removably cradled on a pair of similar supports B, each support B comprising in the present instance resilient metal rod or tubular material formed with opposite ends of the material joined to complete a predetermined closed endless geometrical pattern. The slab A comprises any suitable load sustaining material adapted to bridge the supports B, such as heavy glass, wood, or composition material. A particularly desirable top construction comprises a hollow plywood panel of the type used for interior doors in residential construction. Such panels are strong, light in weight, and adapted to be attractively finished at opposite sides. The use of such panels as table tops presents a special problem in the attachment of legs thereto, which is successfully met by the cradle type support discussed in detail below.

Each support B comprises a horizontal transverse portion 10 adapted to underlie the panel A in supporting relation adjacent one end and to extend the full width thereof. Closely adjacent opposite lateral edges of the panel A, the support B continues perpendicularly from opposite ends of the portion 10 as paired coplaner lateral portions 11 which incline from the portion 10 along the panel edges and preferably terminate below the upper surface of the panel A. From the inner ends of the portions ll, the support B continues downward as paired outer leg or connecting portions 12 which decline slightly inwardly of the lateral edges of the panel A and toward the portion 10. From the lower ends of the portions 12, the support B inclines sharply inward of the panel A and away from the portion 10 as paired upstanding inner leg or meeting portions 13. The latter meet at a rounded apex or panel engaging portion 14 underlying the panel A in supporting relation on the longitudinal vertical median plane thereof at a location intermediate the transverse mid-plane of the panel A and the inner ends of the lateral portions 11. The junctures between the paired leg portions 12, 13 comprise floor engaging portions 15 spaced slightly inward from the lateral edges of the panel A, so as not to be stumbled over, and meet the liner at suitable positions intermediate transverse vertical planes through the portion 10 and inner ends of the lateral portions 11.

As illustrated in Fig. l, the two supports B are arranged in mirror relationship with respect to each other adjacent opposite ends of the table with the panel A suspended or cradled therebetween to comprise a sturdy lightweight table which may be readily assembled or taken apart and stored with the supports B nested together. The panel A may be readily inverted, so that one side may comprise a durable wear resistant surface for ordinary use and the other side may comprise an expensively finished surface for special occasions, for example. In order to minimize marring of a reversible panel top A, a suitable pad or flattened cover will be provided for the apex 14 if desired. As indicated in Fig. 2, the lateral portions 11 when disengaged from the panel A converge slightly from the portion 10, so as to grip the adjacent edges of the assembled panel A resiliently therebetween and prevent accidental displacement of the panel from its supports.

Supplemental means for securing the panel A and support B together are illustrated in Figs. 3 through 5, wherein a pair of short transverse pins 16 welded to each support B adjacent the junctures of the portions 12 and 11 at opposite sides of the table respectively extend horizontally into mating pin holes 17 formed in the adjacent edges of the panel A, Figs. 4 and S. In this construction, the portions 11, as well as being under tension gripping the panel A therebetween, are also under tension urging the pins 16 downward within the holes 17 against the underlying portions of the panel A. The panel engaging portion 14 lies in the plane of the portions 11 prior to assembly of the supports and panel, Fig. 4. Upon assembly, the portions 11 are sprung laterally outward sufficiently to permit downward movement of the panel A therebetween, Fig. 5, and the panel A is forced downward until the holes 17 align with their respective pins 16, springing the portions and 14 downward and away from each other as indicated by the arrow. The portions 11 are then released to locate the pins 16 within their respective holes 17. By virtue of this construction, the assembled panel A and supports B comprise a unitary structure. It is to be noted that the weight of the panel A does not rest on the pins, which latter in fact press downward within their respective holes 17 to maintain the slab under tension. Except for the interengaged pins and pinholes and the vertical tensioning described, the panel A and supports B are the same as shown in Figs. l and 2.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate another arrangement of the panel A and supports B wherein the portion 10 is spaced appreciably from the adjacent end of the panel to serve as a handle. In this instance the portions 11 extend parallel to the panel A and a pair of horizontal pins 18 welded to each portion 11 extend therefrom removably into mating pin holes within the panel A. In this construction also, the assembled panel A and supports B are preferably under tension resiliently urging the portion 14 inward from the portion 10, as described in reference to Figs. 3 through 5. Otherwise the panel and supports are the same as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Still another modification of the attachment between the panel A and supports B is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 wherein the inner and upper ends respectively of the portions 11 and 12 are recessed within grooves 19 in the lateral edges of the panel A. In other respects, the panel A and supports B are the same as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

It is to be noted that the illustrated support B can be employed in other positions and in other relations than as a table support. For example, where the panel A is interengaged with the support as illustrated in Figs. 3 through 9, a single support can be rotated counterclockwise approximately 90 to retain the panel A in an upright position for use as a screen, sign or poster holder, picture frame, and the like. In such use, the portion 10 and adjacent edge of the panel A will be ar' ranged more closely together if desired.

It the panel A is of heavy material, such as glass, marble, and the like, the load on portion 14 tends to spread the floor engaging portions laterally and to bow the leg portions 12 and 13. This effect increases as the height of the table increases. Thus in Fig. 10 the portions 13 cross each other appreciably below the underside of the panel A, so that portions 13a comprising coaxial extensions of the portions 13 respectively extend upward from the juncture or apex 14 and are connected at their upper ends by a transverse horizontal panel supporting portion 140. The crossing portions 13 are suitably joined at the apex 14 by welding and the entire support is formed from a single length of rod or tubular stock as described above.

By virtue of this construction, the table height is increased without increasing the length of the portions 13 between the floor and apex 14. If desired, each pair of leg portions 13, 12 can be similarly crossed and joined at their juncture 15 to provide lower coaxial extensions 13b and 12b of the portions 13 and 12 respectively joined at their lower ends by a horizontal floor engaging portion 15b. In other respects the support illustrated in Fig. 10 is the same as the support illustrated in Figs. 1 through 9 and can be detachably assembled with the panel A in any manner above described.

I claim:

1. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab having a pair of generally opposite ends and a pair of generally opposite lateral edges, and a pair of supports adjacent said pair of opposite ends respectively, each support comprising a pair of lateral portions extending generally along said edges and resiliently gripping said slab therebetween, said pair of lateral portions extending outward from the slab beyond the adjacent end of the slab, a transverse handle portion spacing said pair of lateral portions at a location spaced outward from said adjacent end of the slab, a pair of leg portions declining from the inner ends of said pair of lateral portions respectively, and a pair of upstanding portions converging upward from the lower ends of said pair of leg portions respectively to a slab engaging portion underlying the slab at a location intermediate and inward of the inner ends of said pair of lateral portions.

2. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab having a pair of generally opposite edges, a pair of unitary supports of resilient load sustaining material for said slab, each support comprising a pair of lateral portions extending generally along said edges and resiliently gripping said slab therebetween, a transverse portion spacing said pair of lateral portions adjacent one end of each and underlying said slab in supporting relation, a pair of leg portions declining from the other ends of said pair of lateral portions respectively in the direction toward said transverse portion, and a pair of upstanding portions converging upward from the lower ends of said pair of leg portions respectively to a slab engaging portion underlying the slab at a location intermediate and spaced from said other ends of said pair of lateral portions in the direction of their extension from said transverse portion, and a pair of interengaging elements provided by said slab and support respectively adjacent the upper end of each of said leg portions for detachably securing the slab and support together, each pair of said interengaging elements being under stress yieldingly urging the elements provided by the support downward against the elements provided by the slab, and said slab engaging portion yieldingly engaging the underside of the slab under stress springing said upstanding portions in the direction away from said transverse portion.

3. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab having a pair of generally opposite ends and a pair of generally opposite lateral edges, a pair of supports adjacent said pair of opposite ends respectively, each support comprising a pair of lateral portions extending generally along said edges, means on said lateral portions detachably securing the latter to said edges, said pair of lateral portions extending outward from the slab beyond the adjacent end of the slab, a transverse handle portion spacing said pair of lateral portions at a location spaced outward from said adjacent end of the slab, a pair of leg portions declining from the inner ends of said pair of lateral portions respectively, and a pair of upstanding portions converging upward from the lower ends of said pair of leg portions respectively to a slab engaging portion underlying the slab at a location intermediate and inward of the inner ends of said pair of lateral portions.

4. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab having a pair of generally opposite ends and a pair of generally opposite lateral edges, a pair of supports adjacent said pair of opposite ends respectively, said opposite edges having laterally opening channels therein, each support comprising a pair of lateral portions confined within said channels and resiliently gripping said slab therebetween, said pair of lateral portions extending outward from the slab beyond the adjacent end of the slab, a transverse handle portion spacing said pair of lateral portions at a location spaced outward from said adjacent end of the slab, a pair of leg portions declining from the inner ends of said pair of lateral portions respectively, and a pair of upstanding portions converging upward from the lower ends of said pair of leg portions respectively to a slab engaging portion underlying the slab at a location intermediate and inward of the inner ends of said pair of lateral portions.

5. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab and a pair of supports for said slab, each support comprising a pair of lateral portions extending generally longitudinally of said slab and firmly engaging opposite edges thereof, a transverse portion spacing said pair of lateral portions adjacent one end of each, a pair of leg portions declining respectively in the direction toward said transverse portion from the other ends of said pair of lateral portions, a pair of upstanding portions converging upward from the lower ends respectively of said pair of leg portions, said upstanding portions crossing each other and being joined together at a location below the underside of said slab and continuing upward above said location to upper ends adjacent the underside of said slab at a location spaced from said other ends of said pair of lateral portions in the direction of their extension from said transverse portion, and a transverse slab engaging portion spacing said upper ends of said pair of upstanding portions.

6. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab having a pair of generally parallel edges and a pair of supports for said slab, each support comprising a pair of lateral portions extending generally along and engaging said edges, a transverse portion spacing said pair of lateral portions adjacent one end of each, a pair of floor engaging portions located below said slab in a vertical transverse plane intermediate the ends of said pair of lateral portions, a pair of leg portions declining respectively from the other ends of said pair of lateral portions, a pair of upstanding portions converging upward toward each other from said floor engaging portions respectively, said upstanding portions crossing each other and being joined together at a location below the underside of said slab and continuing upward above said location to upper ends adjacent the underside of said slab at a location spaced from said other ends of said pair of lateral portions in the direction of their extension from said transverse portion, and a transverse slab engaging portion spacing said upper ends of said pair of upstanding portions.

7. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab having a pair of generally opposite edges, a support for said slab comprising a pair of lateral portions extending generally along said edges and engaging said slab therebetween, a transverse portion extending from one end of each of said lateral portions and underlying said slab in supporting relation, a pair of leg portions depending from the other ends of said pair of lateral portions respectively, and a pair of upstanding portions converging upward from the lower ends of said pair of leg portions respectively to a slab engaging portion underlying the slab at a location intermediate and spaced from said other ends of said pair of lateral portions in the direction of their extension from said transverse portion, and a pair of interengaging elements provided by said slab and support respectively adjacent the upper end of each of said leg portions for detachably securing the slad and support together, each pair of said interengaging elements being under stress yieldingly urging the elements provided by the support downward against the elements provided by the slab.

8. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab comprising a top for said table, a support for said slab com prising a portion having a pair of horizontally spaced ends and terminating at one of said ends in a slab engaging portion underlying said slab in supporting relation, a second slab engaging portion underlying said slab in supporting relation at a location spaced from said first named slab engaging portion by the other of said ends,

leg means supporting said other end and said second slab engaging portion, and means on said support adjacent said other end interengaging a portion of said slab under stress urging the latter downward.

9. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab, and supporting means for said slab including a leg having an upper end adjacent and laterally of a side of said slab, means on said upper end inicrengaged with an intermediate portion of said slab, a lateral portion resiliently connected to said upper end and extending therefrom along and laterally of said side and terminating in a transverse portion underlying said slab in supporting relation, and an upstanding portion resiliently connected to the lower end of said leg and extending upwardly therefrom and terminating in a slab engaging portion underlying said slab in supporting relation, said upper end of said leg being intermediate said transverse and slab engaging portions, and the latter portions engaging said slab under tension tending to bow the same upwardly with respect to said intermediate portion thereof.

10. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab, and supporting means for said slab including a leg having an upper end, retaining means on said upper end overlying a portion rigid with said slab to block upward movement of said portion with respect to said upper end, a yieldable portion resiliently connected to said upper end and terminating in a slab engaging portion underlying said slab at a location spaced from said upper end, and an upstanding portion resiliently connected to the lower end of said leg and extending upwardly therefrom and terminating in a second slab engaging portion underlying said slab in supporting relation at a second location spaced from said upper end, said upper end being intermediate said two slab engaging portions and the latter portions engaging said slab under tension tending to how the same upwardly with respect to said retaining means.

11. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab comprising a top for said table, a support for said slab comprising a pair of legs having a floor engaging portion at their lower ends, said legs being resiliently connected together at said lower ends and being free to swing resiliently with respect to each other about the connection there between, one of said legs having an upper end adjacent and laterally of an edge of said slab, a lateral portion resiliently connected at one end to said upper end and extending therefrom along said edge laterally of the latter, a transverse portion connected to the other end of said lateral portion and underlying said slab in supporting relation, said one leg and lateral portion being free to swing resiliently with respect to each other about the connection therebetween, the other leg having at its upper end a slab engaging portion underlying said slab in supporting relation, the bottom of said floor engaging portion being located intermediate said transverse and slab engaging portions.

12. The combination in a table construction as set forth in claim 11 wherein said support comprises a continuous length of resilient rod material, said lateral portion comprising a portion of said rod material engaging said edge in laterally supporting relation, said legs comprising a portion of said rod material bent to comprise said floor engaging portion and extending upwardly from the latter, and said other leg being inclined in a direction away from said transverse portion.

13. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab comprising a top for said table, a unitary support for said slab comprising a transverse portion underlying said slab in supporting relation and extending to opposite lateral edges thereof, a pair of lateral portions connected at one end of each to the opposite ends of said transverse portion and extending therefrom along said edges laterally of the latter, a pair of leg means, each leg means comprising two leg portions diverging upwardly from each other and having their lower ends connected together at a lower floor engaging portion, one pair of said leg portions comprising a leg portion of each leg means converging upwardly toward each other and being connected together at an upper slab engaging portion underlying said slab in supporting relation, each of the other leg portions having an upper end connected to the end of one of each of said lateral portions remote from said transverse portion and laterally of said slab, the bottom of said floor engaging portion being intermediate said transverse and slab engaging portions.

14. The combination in a table construction as set forth in claim 13 wherein the two connected leg portions of each leg means are resiliently connected together and are free to swing resiliently with respect to each other about resilient connection therebetween, and wherein said other leg portions and connected lateral portions are resiliently connected together and are free to swing resiliently with respect to each other about the resilient connection therebetween.

15. The combination in a table construction as set forth in claim 14 wherein said one pair of leg portions incline in a direction away from said transverse portion and wherein said lateral portions snugly embrace said slab therebetween.

16. In a table construction, a self-sustaining slab comprising a top for said table, a unitary support for said slab comprising a continuous length of formed resilient rod material, said rod material having a transverse rod portion underlying said slab in supporting relation, said transverse rod portion terminating at opposite lateral edges of said slab in lateral rod portions adjacent and laterally of said edges and embracing the latter therebetween in laterally supporting relation, each lateral rod portion terminating at its end remote from said transverse rod portion in a depending leg rod portion having its upper end laterally of said slab, the lower end of each leg rod portion terminating in an inclined rod portion inclined in the direction away from said transverse rod portion and toward the other inclined rod portion, the two inclined rod portions being joined at a slab engaging portion underlying said slab in supporting relation.

17. The combination in a table construction as set forth in claim 16 wherein the lower end of each leg rod portion terminates intermediate the ends of the lateral rod portionfromwhich that leg rod portion depends, and wherein the angle of inclination of each inclined rod portion in the direction away from said transverse rod portion is less than the corresponding angle of inclination of the leg rod portion from which it inclines.

18. The combination in a table construction as set forth in claim 16 wherein said lateral rod portions and leg rod portions are free to swing resiliently with respect to each other about the junctures therebetween, and wherein said leg rod portions and inclined rod portions are free to swing resiliently with respect to each other about the junctures therebetween.

19. The combination in a table construction as set forth in claim 17 wherein said lateral rod portions and leg rod portions are free to swing resiliently with respect to each other about the junctures therebetween, and wherein said leg rod portions and inclined rod portions are free to swing resiliently with respect to each other about the junctures therebetween.

20. The combination in a table construction as set forth in claim 19 wherein said transverse rod portion and slab engaging portion are in sliding engagement with the underside of said slab.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,986,935 Le Vine Jan. 8, 1935 2,109,869 Ross Mar. 1, 1938 2,260,732 Anderson et a1. Oct. 28, 1941 2,276,308 Hugh Mar. 17, 1942 2,426,573 Alderfer Aug. 26, 1947 2,500,542 Green Mar. 14, 1950 2,591,797 Exline et al. Apr. 8, 1952 2,628,141 Scheuer Feb. 10, 1953 2,630,360 McGinley Mar. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 188,277 Switzerland May 1, 1937 416,184 Great Britain Sept. 13, 1934 607,373 Great Britain Aug. 30, 1948 

